Well-sinking apparatus.



M. T. CHAPMAN; WELL SINKING APPARATUS. 7 APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1906. 4

Patented June 23, 1914:

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FTLED AU GA, 1906.

Patented June 23, 1914.

7 BEETS-SHEET 2.

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M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS;

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1906 PaAsentd June 23, 1914.

'1 SHEETS-SHEET a.

APPLICATION FILED AUGA, 1906 Patented June 23, 1914.

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M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS. I

APPLIGATIQN FILED AUGA, 1906.

' Patented June 23, 1914.

- NHEETSAHEBT 5. v

M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUGA, 1906.

Patented June 23, 1914.

7 SHEETSSHEET 6.

M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS..

' APPLICATION I VILED AUG. 4, 1906- 1,101,483. Patented June 23, 1914.

7 SHEETSSHEET 7.

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MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN, 0F AURGRA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNCR TO THE AMERICAN WELL WGRKS, OF AURGRA, ILLINOIS, A CORPDRATION OF ILLINOIS.

WELL-SINKING AETPABATUS.

ioness.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22 3, 1914.

' T 0 all whom it may concern of Illinois, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in ell-Sinking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to well-sinking apparatus. and the improvements which form the subject-matter of this application have to do principally with the mechanism for gripping and rotating the pipe, including the construction of the turntable by which the gripping-devices are supported, with the mechanism for holding the pipe against rotation while the pipe sections are being screwed together or unscrewed, and with devices for handling the pipe sections while being screwed together or unscrewed.-

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view illustrating the turntable and part of the mechanism carried thereby, and a section of the well-tube or pipe; Fig. 2

- is asectional detail taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan'view of the turntable. the pipe being in section; Fig. 4c is a vertical section on line 14 of Fig. 3 Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism for screwing and ui'iscrewing the pipe sections, the mechanism for gripping the pipe to rotate it in sinking the well being removed; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the turntable and parts supported thereby, illustrating the arrangement of the mechanism for screwing and unscrewing the pipe sections shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the device employed for holding the lower section'of the pipe against rotation while the upper section is being screwed or unscrewed; Fig. 8 is a detail, illustrating a part of the mechanism for gripping the pipe and rotating-it; Fig. 9 1s a detail, being a partial sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is a side view of the pipe lifter or elevator; Fig. 11 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of F' 11; Fig. 13 is an edge view of one of the its carried by the elevator; Fig. 14 is a similar View of the form of bit carried by the elevator; Fig. 15 is a? horizontal sectional view showing certain details ofconstruction ofthe elevatoryFig. 16 is a partial vertical sect-ion on line 1( 316 of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a holder which carries certain of the bits of the elevator; and Fig. 18 is a yertical sectional view showing a modificaion.

My machine-relates to that class of wellsinking apparatus in which the pipe is rotated by means of gripping devices carried by a turntable, the gripping devices being arranged so as to permit endwise movementof the well-tube or boring-pipe through or independently of the gripping devices, and in certain aspects it has to do with such machines arranged to permit of the jumping of the pipe while being rotated, as set forth in my Patent, No. 775,417., dated November 22, 1904.

As is well understood, in horing'wells by means of apparatus of this description additional lengths of pipe are added from time to time, being screwed onto the pipe already in the well by means of couplings, that portion of the pipe already in the well being held against rotation while the section being added is screwed into the coupling. In removing the pipe from the well it is necessary to unscrew the different sections consecutively, and as the pipe must be raised as each section is removed it is also necessary to provide for supporting the sectlons still in the well as each sectlon is unscrewed; and

the same is true when returning the pipe to sections until the ipe again extends to the bottom of the we 1.

An important part of my present invention relates to mechanism for supporting the wellrtube or pipe as well asfor holding it against rotation during these operations.

A further feature of my present invention relates to the construction of the turntable, having special reference to the antifriction devices on which the upper turntable rests and also to the means for holding the turntable down properly in position.

A further improvement has to do with the mechanism by which the gripping devices for rotating the pipe during well-snaking operation are turned to their proper position'uponthe turntable after the pipe has been jumped.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, 20 indicates the bed-plate of the machine, which is also the foundation or support on which the turntable is mounted. Said bed-plate usually rests on sills 21, as shown.

22 indicates the turntable, which rests on suitable beveled antifriction rollers 23 running in ways provided for them. In the construction shown the bed-plate 20 is provided with two vertical annular flanges spaced a distance apart, and the turntable 22 is provided with corresponding depending flanges 2(327, so that an annular space is formed in which the rollers 23 are placed. The flanges 26-27 overlap the flanges 2524, respectively, and on the outside, so that they serve tohold the turntable in place. The flange 27 is also provided with an external rib or shoulder 28, best shown in Fig. 4.

29 indicates a series of rollers, the pe ripheries of'which are V-shaped, as shown in Fig. 2. Said rollers are adapted to engage the shoulder 28, being set at an angle thereto of about 45, as shown in Fig. 2. Said rollers are ,carried inbrackets or frames 30 which are mounted on the bedplate 20 and are adjustable radially, so that the rollers 29 may move up to take up wear. This adjustment is secured by set-screws 31 extending through slots'32 in the brackets 30 and screws 33 fitted in suitable lugs 34 provided in the bed-plate 20 and bearing against the outer end portions of the brackets 30, so that by said screws 33 the brackets may be forced inward and held in such position. The screws 31 also serve to hold the brackets in position. Any desired number of the rollers 29 may be employed. They serve to hold the turntable properly in position and steady it while in operation.

.8536 indicate annular bearing-plates provided below and above the rollers 23 to take up wear. Said plates are preferably made of hardened steel and may readily be removed and replaced. I

37 indicates an annular bearing plate disposed vertically adjacent to the flange 27 and in position to take the wear of the outer surfaces of the rollers 23, which are beveled,

as shown at 38 in Fig. 3.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 4, 39"indicates an annular rack provided in the under side of the turntable near the periphery thereof. 40 indicates a )inion meshing with said rack for rotating the same, said pinion being mounted on a drive-shaft l1 driven from any suitable source of power. As best shown in Fig. 4-, the turntable and bed-plate are provided with central openings Li-4:3 for the passage of the well-tube or pipe 44. The diameters of the openings 42 and 43 are nearly the same, but the opening 413i; pro

vided with a number of inwardly-projecting v at opposite sides of the turntable, as shown in Fig. 3, to serve as guides for slide-blocks 4849, the ends of which are fitted between them, so that said slide-blocks may slide toward and from the center of the turntable. The slide-blocks 4819 carry inclined posts 50-51, said pos'ts being inclined so that their upper ends extend forward, 2'. a. in the direction in which the turntable rotates in boring. The purpose of inclining the posts 50-51 is to better hold the well-tube and bit down and to force them downagain whenever they jump up in the operation of boring under the action of hard spots encountered in the drilling operation; also to engage the pipe more quickly and positively whenever the well-tube is jumped. The supports for-the gripping devices being mounted on said posts as hereinafter described, it will be apparent that the forward inclination of the posts 50 51 will have a tendency to move said supports downward when the a turntable is rotating and to hold them so. The posts 50 are provided with screw or otherwise removable collars or caps 53-54 indicate supports for the gripping devices, said supports being provided with inclined passages to receive the posts 5051. The ends of the supports 53-54 are mounted on double-ended screws 56, one of which is provided at each side of the machine over the ways 46 47, as shown in Fig. 3. The screws 56 have their ends oppositely screw-threaded, so that they act to draw the supports 5354 together or force them apart or otherwise move them simultaneously toward and from the center of the turntable. The screws 56 are connected with the supports by means of nuts 57 which arecarried in suitable sockets in the ends of the supports '54 so that thev are held against rotation. Springs 58 are provided on the screws 56 between the nuts 57 and the inner margins of the supports, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the springs act as buffers between the nuts 57 and the supports, consequently a yielding engagement is provided between the gripping devices hereinafter described and the well-tube or pipe. The screws 56 are rotated in either direc-' tion to operate the supports by means of ratchet wheels 59, which are mounted on said screws, as shown in Figs. 1,3 and 9, and

are actuat d" by levers 60 also mounted on said screws and provided, with doubleact mg pawls 61. best shown in Fig. 9. The levers 60 are bifurcated at their lower ends. .as

i oness carry the usual gripping disks 64 which en'- T gage the well-tube for rotating it, mean- While permitting longitudinal movement thereof. The disk-supporting arms are set opposite each other so that the disks coact to grip the pipe between them. When the pipe is lifted, the arm 62 may be swung upward to permit couplings to pass the disks, and when desirable they may be swung up and held up out of operative position to permit of the free upward and downward movement of the pipe. In practice the disks are held up out of operative position by placing a block of wood upon thesupports 53-54 under the arms '62.

(iii-66 indicate vertical posts mourited on the turntable 22 at diametrically opposite points near the periphery thereof, as best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. Said posts are employed to engage the levers '67 of pipe wrenches 68 which are employed for screwing and unscrewing pipe sections. The wrenches ortongs shown in Fig. 5 are of the well-known lever and chain type and need no detailed description. Any suitable wrench may be employed. Obviously, the posts 66 by engaging the levers 67 opcrate the wrenches in the same way as they are ordinarily operated by hand, the said levers shifting along the straight vertical bearing portions of the posts as the upper section of pipe is raised or lowered by the operation. Preferably the supports 5354 are removed from the turntable when the wrenches 68 are to beeinployed, but this is not essential.

When the pipe sections are to be screwed together or unscrewed it is essential that the lower section of pipe be held against rotation while the upper section projecting above the turntable is rotated. To this end I pro vide suitablemechanisrn for non-rotatably connecting the well-tube immediately below the section to be unscrewed with the bedplate or turntable support. Such mechanism the sleeve 69 when it is'inserted and also to support it against lateral tiltingl provide an upright ring 71,' best shown in Fig. 6,

shown at 82 in Figs. ll, 12 and 13.

which extends upward from the bed-plate .20". At its upper end the sleeve 69 ispl'ofvided with notches 72 oppositely disposed,

which receive portions of a clamp or elevator 73 of the ordinary well-known type which is adapted to fit upon the pipe below one of the couplings 74, as shownin Fig. 6. The construction of the clamp or elevator 73 is best shown in Figs. 10 to 15. As shown in Fig. 11, it is composed of two semi-circular Inembers.7576 hinged together at 77 and having parallel lugs 7S79 at points diametrically opposite to the hinged connections of said members, as shown in Fig. 11. Said lugs 7879 are adapted to lie closely together and are held together by means of a link 80 which is hinged to one of the lugs, as 78, and is adapted to swing up over and embrace said lugs, its upper end fitting in registering notches 81 provided at the upper sides of said lugs, as shown in Fig. 12;

lVhen the link 80 is out of operative'position it is suspended, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10. By throwing the link 80 over out of engagement with the lugs 78-79 said lugs may be swung apart and the clamp opened, and when the link is thrown over into operative position to lock the lugs together it lies flush with the upper surface of said lugs and is held down in operative position by the weight of the pipe, since the coupling 74 then rests upon it, as shown in Fig. p j

In order to hold the pipe against rotation, the clamp or elevator 73 is provided at its upper margin with a series of bits, some of which are stationary, others being movable. The stationary bits bite into the under margin of the coupling by reason of the weight of the tube in the well. The movable bits are provided so that a positive gripping may be effected when by reason of the shortness of the pipe its weight alone is not suiiicient to secure the necessary bite. The stationary bits are best Said bits are slid into suitable grooves in the clamp near its upper margin so that the bits when in position project above said margin, as shown in Fig. 12, and consequently engage the under surface of the coupling. 1

83 indicates movable bits designed to engage the coupling to prevent rotation thereof. Said bits are provided with comparatively sharp inn-er edges and also are sharpened at their upper ends which project above the upper margin of the clamp. They are fitted in suitable boxes 24, preferably by sliding them endwise in suitable grooves 85, as shown in Fig. 17. The boxes 84 are fitted in pockets 86 carried by the clamp sections, said boxes being movably-secured by pins 87 fitted in slots 88 at the lower ends of said boxes, as shown in Figs. 16 andli'.

Set-screws 89 are provided for forcing the boxes with the contained pins over against the pipe. It will thus be seen that any de- As shown in Figs. 11 and 15, the bits 83- and also the bits 82 are set oppositely so that they prevent rotation of the pipe in either direction.

To further grip the pipe I provide addi- "tional bits 96 placed in suitable recesses in bosses 91 provided in the clamp sections,

as shown in Fig. 15. Said bits are forced into engagement with the pipe" by set-screws 92, as shown, and these bits also are set oppositely to further insure the holding of the pipe against rotation in either direction. In Fig. 18 I have shown a further form of bit 93, which is set in an inclined socket in the upper margin of the clamp 73 so as to engage the pipe and also the'coupling. In practice the hinged portions of the clamp members 75--76 fit in one of the notches T2 of the sleeve 69 and the lugs 78 -79 thereof fit in the opposite notch. Thus the clamp is firmly held against rotation and itin turn holds the pipe against rotation. The section of pipe above the coupling may therefore be readily screwed together or unscrewed by means of the apparatus herein before described.

I have now described the specific embodiment of my inve ntion illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific details of the construction described and shown except in so far as they are particularly claimed, as it includes generically the subject-matter of the broader claims.

That which I claim as my invention and desire to secure by' Letters Patent is,-

1. The combination of a stationarysupport having anti-friction rollers, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon and having an external circumferential rib or shoulder, said rib having an upper outer edge, and one or more grooved rollers conneetcd with said stationary support and mounted above and engaging the upper outer edge of said rib for preventing up-' ward movement of said turntable without said rib having an upper outer edge, and one or more grooved rollers connected with said stationary support and mount-ed above and engaging the upper outer edge of said rib for preventing upward movement of said turntable without interfering with downward movement thereof, the axes of said rollers being inclined so that the rollers rotate in planes' inclined downward and inward toward the axis of the turntable and the thrust against the rollers is substantially normal to their axes, said rollers being adjustable toward and from said rib and means for so adjusting said rollers.

In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turntable, gripping devices, supporting means for said. gripping devices mounted on said turntable, and means carried by the turntable and operated by the rotation thereof for moving said supporting means downward.

4. In a well-sinkin apparatus, the combination of a turnta le, gripping devices, supports for said gripping devices means' for moving said supports toward or from each other to grip'or release the pipe, and inclined posts connecting said supports with the turntable, said supports being longitudinally movable upon said posts.

5. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a turntable, gripping devices, supporting means for said gripping devices, and forwardly inclined guides rising from the turntable connecting said supporting means therewith, said supporting means being upwardly and downwardly movable upon said guides.

6. In a well-sinkin apparatus, the combination of a turnta le, gripping devices, supports for said gripping devices, and forwardly-inclined posts connecting said supports with the turntable, said supports be ing movable longitudinally on said posts.

7. In a well-sinking apparatuspthe combination of a stationary support, a turntable, a sleeve adapted to project through said turntable'and nonrotatably engage said stationary support, and means nonrotatably connecting said sleeve with the well tube.

, 8. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary support, turntable, a'sleeve adapted to project through said turntable and nonrotatably engage said stationary support, a' clamp adapted to embrace the well tube and nonrotatably engage said sleeve, and means carried by said clamp for nonrotatably engaging the well tube.

9. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary support, a turntable. a sleeve adapted to project through said turntable and nonrotatably engage said stationary support, a hinged clamp adapted to embrace the well tube and nonrotatably engage said sleeve. and means carried by said clamp for nonrotatably engaging the well tube.

10. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a. stationary support, a turntable, a sleeve adapted to project through said turntable and nonrotatably engage said stationary support, a hinged clamp adapted to embrace the well tube and nonrotatably engage said sleeve, and bits carried by said clamp adapted to engage the pipe and prerent it from rotating in either direction.

.11. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary support, a turntable, a sleeve adapted toproject through said turntable and nonrotatably engage said stationary support, a clamp adapted to embrace the well tube and nonrotatably engage said sleeve, bits carried by said clamp, and means for adjusting said bits to cause them to engage the well tube.

12. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary support, a truntable, a sleeve adaptedto project through said turntable and nonrotatably engage said stationary support, a clamp adapted to be connected to said sleeve, said clamp being composed of hinged members having registering lugs, and a link adapted to embrace said lugs to hold said clamp members in operative position.-. s

13 In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary support, a turntable, a sleeve adapted to project through said turntableand nonrotatably. engage said stationary support, a clamp adapted to be connected to said sleeve, said clamp being composed of hinged members having registering lugs, and a link hinged to one of said lugs and adapted to swing over both of said lugs to bind them together and hold the clamp members in operative position.

14. In a well-sinking apparatus, the com- .bination of a stationary support, a turntable, said support having inwardly-project in teeth below said turntable, a sleeve adapted to project through said turntable and having teeth at its lower end adapted to engage the teeth of said stationary support, and means carried by said-sleeve for holding the Well tube against rotation.

15. .In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary support, a turntable, a sleeve adapted to nonrotatably enfor non-rotatably engaging a round tube -bination of a bed plate, a turntable, a memtate it.

acting to support the turntable, and annular plates between said rollers and said stationary support and between said rollers and said turntable. Y

18. In ajwell-sinking apparatus, the combination' (if gripping devices a stationary support, a turntable, a series of rollers running on said stationary support, said rollers acting to support the turntable, and a vertically disposed annular plate extending around said rollers, the outer surfaces of said rollers bearing against said plate.

19. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the com-. bination of a bed-plate, a turntable, means non-rotatably engaging said bed-plate and having means mounted thereon for engaging a .round tube and holding the same against rotation, and means carried around by the turntable for gripping the Well-tube to rotate it.

20. In a \vellsinking-apparatus, the combiuation of bed-plate, a turntable, separable means havin an interlocking engagement with said he -plate'and having means and holding the same against rotation, and means carried around by the turntable for gripping the Well-tube to rotate it.

21. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the comher adapted to surround the Well-tube and ,having means for attaching the same nonrotatably to the bed-plate and also having mounted thereon means for engaging a round tube and holding the same against rotation, and means carried around by the turntable for gripping the Well-tube to 1'0- 22. The combination of a turntable comprising a rotary member and a stationary member, said stationary member having a central opening for the passage of the pipe, and a separable support surrounding the well-tube and adapted to non-rotatably engage said stationary member, said support having mounted thereon gripping devices movable into and out of engagement with said pipe for holding the same against rotation.

28. In combination, a turntable having a central opening for the passage of a Welltube, and a support independent of the turntable extending upward through said turntable for supporting the Well-tube and'for holding the same against rotation.

24. In combination 'With a turntable for drilling Wells, and tubing in the well, a ringlike support mounted in the turntable surrounding the tube and secured independently of the turntable, means for connect ing a section of the tubing and the ring-like support to hold said section stationary, and means actuated by the rotation of the turntable for rotating another section of the tubing.

25. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination of a frame, a turntable revolubly mounted on said frame, anti-friction devices interposed between said frame and said turntable, means for gripping one of two connected pipes extending through said turntable, means carried by said turntable adapted to act upon said gripping means to cause said pipe to rotate with said turntable, and means adapted to hold the other of said pipes against rotation.

26. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination of a. frame, a turntable revolubly mounted on said frame, anti-friction devices interposed between said frame and said turntable, means for gripping one of two connected pipes extending through said turntable, means carried by said turntable adapted to act upon said gripping means to cause said pipe to rotate with said turntable, means for gripping the other of said pipes, and means supported from said frame inde-' pendently of said turntable adapted to hold said last-named gripping means against rotation.

27. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination of a frame, a turntable revolubly mounted on said frame, anti-friction devices interposed between said frame and said turntable, means for gripping onevof two connected pipes extending through said turntable, means carried by said turntable adapted to act upon said gripping means to cause. said pipe to rotate with said turntable, and means supported from said frame independently of said turntable adapted to hold the other of said pipes against rotation.

28. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a frame, a turntable revolubly mounted on said frame, anti-friction devices interposed between said frame and said turntable, means for gripping one of two connected pipes extending through said turntable, means carried by said turntable adapted to act upon said gripping means to cause said pipe to rotate with said turntable, and means adapted to engage the other of said pipes and by such engagement to hold it against rotation.

29. In a Well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a bed-plate, a turntable revolubly mounted on said bed-plate, means for gripping one of two connected pipes extending through said turntable, means carried by said turntable adapted to act upon said gripping means to cause said pipe to rotate with said turntable, means for gripping the other of said pipes, and means mounted on said bed-plate and removable therefrom adapted to hold said last-named gripping means. against rotation.

31. Ina well sinking apparatus, the combination of a turntable, stationary means adapted to hold one of two connected pipes extending through said turntable from turning, and means carried around by the turntable adaptedto cause rotation of the other of said two pipes, said last-named means comprising 'a post having a straight vertical portion adapted to serve as a bearing for the turning of the pipe.

32. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination of a turntable, stationary means adapted to hold one of two connected pipes extending through said turntable from turntable adapted to cause rotation of the other of said two pipes, said last-named means comprising a wrench adapted to grip said last-named pipe and a post having a straight vertical portion adapted to serve as a shifting bearlng for the wrench for the turning of thepipe.

MATTHEIV T. CHAPMAN. Witnesses:

MINNIE A. HUNTER, WILLIAM H. DE BUsK.

Gopien of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner. of Patents,

Washington, D. G." i

mg, and means carried around by the turn- 

